English Delft Chinoiserie Garden Plate, 1760

• Chinoiserie - Furniture and decorative items decorated in imitation of a Western interpretation of the Chinese style. The Chinoiserie style first became popular in the late 17th century, though there were frequent revivals, notably by Chippendale (hence 'Chinese Chippendale') during the Regency period, and the Anglo-Japanese style in the second half of the 19th century.
  
  The ubiquitous 'willow pattern' is the most common 'Chinese' theme used in porcelain, while on furniture the Chinoiserie style usually has black or red painted and lacquered decoration, though the hallmark of the furniture style is the use of fretwork in geometrical patterns, pagodas and other decorative forms.
  
  Japonaiseries, as the name implies, are motifs in imitation of the Japanese taste.
  
  See also "Chinese Chippendale".
• Circa - A Latin term meaning 'about', often used in the antique trade to give an approximate date for the piece, usually considered to be five years on either side of the circa year. Thus, circa 1900 means the piece was made about 1900, probably between 1895 and 1905. The expression is sometimes abbreviated to c.1900.
• Manganese Glaze - A manganese glaze contains manganese dioxide as a colorant. When fired at high temperatures, the manganese dioxide in the glaze reacts with the clay body to create a range of colors, including brown, black, purple, and deep red.
  
  Manganese glazes have been used to decorate ceramics for thousands of years, and they have been particularly popular in Chinese and Korean pottery. In China, manganese glazes were first used during the Song dynasty (960-1279 AD), and they were later used in the production of Jun ware during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644 AD). In Korea, manganese glazes were used to decorate celadon pottery during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392 AD).
  
  The glaze can be applied to pottery using a variety of techniques, including brushing, pouring, and spraying. The glaze can be applied alone or in combination with other glazes to create a range of effects, including speckled or mottled surfaces. However these glazes can be difficult to control, as they tend to be very fluid and can easily run or drip during firing. However, this fluidity can also be used to create interesting effects, such as the "hare's fur" pattern that is often seen in Chinese tea bowls.
  
  Manganese glazes are still in use by potters and ceramic artists to create unique and beautiful surfaces on their work.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• Delft pottery (Netherlands) - plates, bowls and dishes 92